lol the merchant was really bad... i heard he was prohibited from returning until one year had passed, AND he had paid a ten thousand dollar fine or something... i dont think that guy will ever pay off ten grand so its like a permanent "you can never come back" penalty.... probably the ultimate penalty to someone that truly enjoys the springs.

i think this whole thread started though with "what is the penalty". its worth talking about what the penalties are and not just dismissing it with "it doesnt matter if you follow the rules", because there has to be a penalty for violating a rule, otherwise the rule doesnt mean anything, even if you obey them, because others won't. (enforecement is of course another issue entirely)

Just like any other crime, there are increased penalties for continued violations. i would hope that the first time fine has increased as was mentioned earlier for campfires, a hundred bucks probably isnt a lot to some people but a thousand hurts anybody. maybe like a mandatory 5 days in jail in addition, no matter what, i guess the article said up to a year and/or $1,000 fine, but if its one of those and/or things, they dont usually use the lockup because of the expense, they prefer to fine.... 5 days might teach people to not start the fires.

ill leave with this... some obey, some dont. but i think more obey (like with taxes) if there are stiff penalties attached to not obeying, even in unmonitored areas. maybe a good way to enforce rules better is to increase penalties, and make people aware of them.